1000 miles

It was my last run today before the big one and this was a big one.  My 1000 mile of the year.  It was a mixed session of 200m sprints on grass and then hill reps.  For the 200m sprints I took at a fast but easy pace but for the hill reps I made sure that I just jogged up and down the easy incline.  I hit my 1000 mile towards the end to a big cheer from everyone that was out with us.

I was glad to do my 1000 mile before the race.  I really didn't want to be running through Milngavie at 1am in the morning cheering.

Did a wee search on the Internet for pictures of past winners of the West Highland Way race.  Found the winners from 2004 on their way to the awards presentation.

Five days until London

Tom posted a comment on my blog today asking if I was taking it easy in preparation for the London Marathon and that was maybe why I hadn't posted recently.  Well I am doing less miles Tom but still probably too much and as a result I am feeling it.  Also I have had loads on at work over the last week and so I haven't been posting to my blog.

So what have I been up to:

 

TUESDAY 1ST APRIL 2008

After the long run on the Saturday doing the Devil's route I wanted to take it easy for a bit.  I didn't do anything until the Tuesday.  I went to the club to find out it was a 5km time trial.  I decided to run it easy but still it was fast and I cut it a bit short.

2.83 mi in 16:47 @ 5:56 /mi

 

WEDNESDAY 2ND APRIL 2008

Felt good enough today to seriously think about joining the Milburn Harriers for their Stoneymolan race on the Thursday.  Decided to recce the route today.  It is the reverse of my normal Stoneymolan route with a different section that although off paths makes it slightly shorter.

6.12 mi in 51:10 @ 8.22 / mi   Climb +290/-284

 

THURSDAY 3RD APRIL 2008

Ran the Milburn race after all.  Found out it was a handicap race and Ali Mo and Lins were running it.  I felt completely wrecked on the way up the hill.  No strength at all but by the top I was running well and managed to catch up quite a few people.  It feels like it now takes 8 miles for me to get going.  Came in 4th behind Ali Mo, Lins and Steve from the Millies.

4.77 mi in 38:26 @ 8.03 / mi   Climb +293 / - 290

 

SATURDAY 5TH APRIL 2008

Today was the National Road Relay Championships and about a month ago I volunteered to run the long leg.  About 6 miles.  The mens team has 6 runners, 3 running 3 miles and 3 running 6 miles.  I was in the Garscube A team.  Really I could have done with being in the B Team and running a little 3 miler.

It was a big struggle and I was very tired.  Ran the 6 miles in 35 mins.  1 min 13 secs slower than last year.  Our team came in 9th.  Not really thanks to me though.  Debbie made an rare appearance to this one as well and she enjoyed it too.  Or maybe that was the shopping we did afterwards.

Who's the new girl??

Distance : 6.71 mi.

Time :  43:46 (6:31 / mi.)

Weather : 3.9C

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 51:  20.37 mi.

 

Another freezing day, so it was definitely time to try my new running tights.  Even in cold weather I get far too warm so I bought a pair of  3/4 length ones.  Yes you know the ones that woman all wear.  These ones are definitely made for men and I had even seen another guy with a pair on so I thought what the hell.  Anyway on a serious side the main reason I got them was my quads get stiff in the cold and my hamstrings can get tight as well.

After some strange looks and presenting Lesley with a basket of goodies from everyone at the club it was onto the run.  Went out with Alex and Mark.  The pace seemed a bit slow at first, not because I was getting fitter but because I had a sense that Mark and Alex had had one to many sherbets over the festive period.  After about 2 - 3 miles I picked up the pace and pushed away a bit but they caught me again with a couple of miles to go, so I pushed again and managed to hold them off.  I caught up with wee Robert and he raced me to the finish so I was pleased to push the last bit.  Met Athole at the end who said to me "I saw you going past earlier and wondered who the new girl was" in reference to my new tights.

Fffreezin' ma bits aff

Distance : 5.00 mi.

Time :  32:48 (6:34 / mi.)

Weather : 5C (Felt much colder)

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 51:  13.66 mi.

 

It was bitterly cold this morning and Debbie had made the right move and gone to the gym.  I was wanting to run an 8 mile route with the last 15 minutes hard but I had a training course today and didn't want to be late.  I only ran 5 miles but did it at a good pace.  Left quad still stiff.  It is definitely the cold that is affecting it.

The Pappert Show

Distance : 8.72 mi.

Time : 1:09:12 (7:56 / mi.)

Weather : 5.6C Cool with sun breaking through

Equipment : Asics Trabuco 10

Total for week 50: 26.56 mi.

 

Out with Lins and Glen today on a run that Lins has spoken about quite a few times.  Pappert Hill.  Was meant to meet Lins at 10:30 but his timekeeping is hopeless so I thought that 10:40 would be okay. Ooops I ended up late.  This route was fabulous and had an easy uphill section behind Bonhill through some woodland and up to the hill.  Then an easy downhill with some muddy sections.  Debbie will like this one so I will take her next time.  View from the top was good and I could see lots of potential for other routes toward the Wangie.  Maybe next year.  Left leg a bit stiff still but felt fine through out.

Friday Fun

Distance : 7.74 mi.

Time : 48:56 (6:19 / mi.)

Weather : 7.8C

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 50: 17.84 mi.

 

I have been really enjoying my Friday runs recently but I really wasn't looking forward to today's run.  2 evenings of committee meetings on the Wednesday and Thursday nights had meant no running and I was losing the will to live.  Decided to run the Crow Road circuit but not as a tempo.  Too lazy today.  Normal run and didn't feel like I was going to well.  Was surprised to find out that I had a new record for the circuit, 48:56 @ 6:19/mi.  Last time I ran this circuit in 50:42 @ 6:27/mi. on the 14/11.  Must be doing something right.

Hard Horseshoe

Distance : 14.12 mi.

Time : 1:48:57 (7:43 / mi.)

Weather : 7.8C Cold

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 49: 37.12 mi.

 

Didn't get that much sleep last night so I was really shattered when I went out to meet Lindsey for a long run today.  Glad that I had organised it though or I so easily could have just skipped it.  Debbie was still in bed and made no secret of how nice and warm it was compared to outside.  I started the run with 2 layers and regretted it by the first uphill as I was sweating buckets.  Started off on the normal Balloch horseshoe today although we did it backwards.  On the way back towards Balloch we took a detour toward Gartocharn and now I was glad of the extra layers.  It was freezing and there was still snow on the ground.  Finished the run by going through Balloch Park.  Did have a laugh at Lindsey's motivational speech though.  He told me that my 10k times were rubbish.  I replied that I was less than a minute behind him at the East Kilbride 10k last week.  :-)  That aside I do like running with Lindsey and I do pick up a lot of wee hints and tips from him.

Felt knackered for most of the run today but so glad I went out.

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of @%$£

Training Day : 30
Session : Hill Run
Distance : 23.84 m
Avg/mile : 24.01/m
Time : 9hrs 20min 24secs

For Debbie's article on first races for the My Race magazine we decided that it would be a good idea to go on a hill run as one of them.  But this is Debbie and I that we are talking about 1 hill isnt enough.  No. How about 1 Munro then.  Nah, too easy.  How about 7 munros.  The entire South Glen Shiel Ridge.  Yeah that sounds like something we should do.
Went up to the Cluanie Inn to camp on Saturday night but arrived after it had got dark and had to use the lights to put up the tent.  Debbie was a bit freaked out by some of the vehicles going along the road during the night and a rutting deer as well so it wasnt the best sleep but we awoke nice and early so that we could be home early that night.  Ok time to move the car to the start.  Nope it didnt start.  Flat battery.  Great.  So 2 hours later and £100 less well off the AA fixed the car and we where off.  Within 1 mile though my back was feeling a lot more sweatier than usual and I found I had a leak in my Platypus.
Today was just not going to plan.  So after the 7 mile run to the beginning of the hills we were finally on our way up.  I was photographer for the day 
and so would run ahead to get some shots of Debbie for the magazine article.
So far the weather had been great but by the time we got to the first munro the weather came in and we spent the rest of the 
day in mist and cloud and had a couple of issues with navigation too.
At the end I was tired but really enjoyed the day.  Ok it wasnt fast but this is what running is all about.  Going out with 
friends or family and having a purpose for the run.  Like I said to Debbie while doing it. Running on the hills is just like walking on the hills but with less clothes, less food and less grip. It is tough but certainly worth it and in the end 7 munros is not something to be laughed at.